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Title: William J.Stavely, Philadelphia, to his Mother
ID3056
CollectionIrish Emigration Database
FileStavely, William J/18
Year1886
SenderStavely, William J.
Sender Gendermale
Sender Occupationshoe manufacturer
Sender Religionunknown
OriginPhiladelphia, Penn., USA
DestinationBelfast, N.Ireland
Recipientunknown
Recipient Genderfemale
Relationshipson-mother
SourceD1835/27/3/26: Deposited by Greer Hamilton and Gailey, Solicitors, High Street, Ballymoney, County Antrim.
ArchiveThe Public Record Office, Northern Ireland.
Doc. No.9310420
Date27/07/1886
Partial Date
Doc. TypeEMG
LogAction By Date Document added by C.R., 14:10:1993.
Word Count397
Genre
Note
Transcript216 North 3rd Street
Philadelphia July 27th 1886.

My dear Mother
I just for the present minute snatch a few minutes
from other duties to acknowledge the receipt of your letter.
It gave me very great pleasure to ever more see your old
family handwriting. It may seem strange but I have often
longed to hear from you all the time knowing that it was my
own fault that I did not do so. It would be a long story to
tell all the ups and downs I have had in the last few years
and how I have drifted into being a shoe manufacturer but all
the same that is what I am now. A strong upper lip good
health and faith in a future seem to have pulled me through
and it was the road to wealth I have a business of my own which
with ordinary business prudence and attention may very shortly
yield me more than a living.
Poor Janie I often think of her and the h[--?]ry
cares she has. My inability to send practical expresion of my
sympathy has had as much to do with my long silence as anything
else. I never supposed you would remain for me as dead. As a
doctor friend said not long ago I take too good care of myself
to give them a chance to make anything out of me and had any
thing serious happened some of my friends would not have failed
to make you acquainted with the facts. I am glad to know Sarah
is able to travel around and has the friends to spend a pleasant
time with. Has she recovered the use of her limbs. I suppose
you are in the midst of summer. Do you spend your time in
garden &c [et cetera?] as of old? We have had a most peculiar
summer. One day hot the next hot and cold. The day J. Findley
called was the hottest we have had for so far. For comfort, as
is quite usual here I was in underpants and undershirt which
must have given him rather an unfavorable opinion of my
appearance. But I must close. Hoping to hear from you fully
soon and to write you fully in return with best love I remain
to all the circle
Your attached Son
William J. Stavely.

P.S. I hope this will find you all in good health.
JS.